Updated 17 September 2026: Liverpool are preparing for their opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season away at Newcastle United, and the trip to St James’ Park carries extra weight as Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first competitive match as head coach. This piece updates our original Liverpool predicted team guide with the latest selection context, squad fitness notes and a direct answer on when supporters can expect confirmed lineups.
Updated: Liverpool prepare for Premier League opener at St James’ Park
Liverpool travel to Newcastle to open their league campaign, and the fixture doubles as Iraola’s first competitive test in the dugout. St James’ Park is one of the toughest away venues in the division, and a new head coach facing it in his opening game adds genuine intrigue for supporters.
The story around this match has moved quickly in recent weeks, with squad changes, a debut appearance and a leadership reshuffle all shaping how Iraola is likely to set his team up. This update reflects the latest confirmed position on each of those points.
Iraola’s tactical options and selection decisions
Jeremie Frimpong remains Liverpool’s senior right-back option and is available for selection at St James’ Park. His pace and directness make him a natural fit against a Newcastle side that likes to press high up the pitch.
Leadership has also shifted at the club. Dominik Szoboszlai has been named as one of Liverpool’s vice-captains following Andy Robertson’s departure, a decision that gives Iraola an experienced on-field voice as he settles into the role. Expect Szoboszlai to be central to how Liverpool build their attacks, whether from a deeper midfield role or further forward.
Beyond those two confirmed points, Iraola has not revealed his exact system publicly, and supporters should treat any specific formation talk as informed guesswork rather than confirmed planning.
Key squad fitness and debut considerations
Goalkeeping is one area of genuine continuity. Alisson Becker kept eight clean sheets in 26 Premier League appearances last season, a record that underlines why he remains first choice between the posts as the new campaign begins.
There is also fresh depth in the squad. Jeremy Jacquet made his first appearance for Liverpool against Como, giving Iraola another option to consider as he manages minutes across a long season. That outing followed a productive run of pre-season and cup fixtures, including a victory against Tottenham that gave the head coach further chances to assess his squad under match conditions.
On the transfer side, reports linking Cody Gakpo with a move to Tottenham Hotspur remain unconfirmed media speculation at this stage. No formal negotiation has been reported, and supporters should treat the story as background noise rather than an imminent departure.
Newcastle’s own build-up carries a significant absence. Alexander Isak scored three goals in 714 Premier League minutes before suffering a serious ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspur, and his continued absence changes the shape of the threat Liverpool will face at St James’ Park.
Newcastle vs Liverpool lineups and official team sheet timing
Official Newcastle vs Liverpool lineups will not be confirmed until 75 minutes before kickoff, in line with standard Premier League practice. Any team news published before that point, including this guide, reflects likely selection rather than a confirmed starting eleven.
Based on the evidence available, Alisson is expected in goal, Frimpong is a senior right-back option, and Szoboszlai is set to play a prominent role given his new status as vice-captain. Jeremy Jacquet’s recent debut adds a fresh name to the conversation, even if his involvement from the start remains unclear. Supporters should check the official team sheet closer to kickoff for the confirmed picture.
What happens next
Iraola’s first competitive selection will say a great deal about how he intends to shape this Liverpool side over the season. A strong start at St James’ Park would settle early nerves and build momentum heading into the following fixtures.
Later in the campaign, Liverpool have a chance to match a Premier League record against West Ham, a marker that shows how quickly attention turns from one milestone to the next once the season is under way. For now, all eyes remain on Newcastle and on confirming exactly how Iraola lines his side up for kickoff.
This article will be updated again once official confirmation of the Newcastle vs Liverpool lineups is available.
